Do homebrews really have value?

[Buyatari]

In most other hobbies homebrews are considered valuable only for fair use. To game collectors that would mean a game should be only worth what someone wants to pay just to play it and would not be valuable as a collectable. The main argument used in other collectables is that more could be produced either by the creator, someone who helped in production or anyone else for that matter and no one would be the wiser. I never thought people would pay $100 or more for a videogame homebrew and now its becoming common to see it.

 

Are they paying for "fair use"? Its possible, Vectrex multicarts have sold for $200+ and since Sean does keep them coming they can't be considered "out of print" people are buying Sean Kelly Vectrex multicarts because they want to play them not because they are collectable.

 

So what of the 2600 homebrews on the secondary market? Are these being bought for "fair use" or do people consider these collectable? If they are considered collectable what happens when they reproduced? Does it change anything or like the Vectrex carts will they still rise and fall with current production?

[Rick Weis]

i don't know if i would say it's "common" but even years ago #1 carts would bring in $$$ and they still do.

 

i can remember years ago many homebrew carts that sold for $100+ and one for almost 1K! (911 auction for venture 2)

 

as to why? if there is a limited run (numbered) and you (along with many others) miss out on getting one when they first came out, = a bidding war for any that become for sale/auction.

 

do i think they are collectable? hmmmm... i think they are COOL! and the more thought that goes into one makes them even COOLER! = priceless

 

Rick

[jboypacman]

Homebrews i think have value right now to thoses who look forward to them everytime they release a new one.I feel that over time they may develop value as collectables.I know i really think the ones i have now have value to me.

[jpfalcon2003]

Didn't reindeer rescue fetch a decent price?

[Student Driver]

In most other hobbies homebrews are considered valuable only for fair use. To game collectors that would mean a game should be only worth what someone wants to pay just to play it and would not be valuable as a collectable. The main argument used in other collectables is that more could be produced either by the creator, someone who helped in production or anyone else for that matter and no one would be the wiser. I never thought people would pay $100 or more for a videogame homebrew and now its becoming common to see it.

 

Are they paying for "fair use"? Its possible, Vectrex multicarts have sold for $200+ and since Sean does keep them coming they can't be considered "out of print" people are buying Sean Kelly Vectrex multicarts because they want to play them not because they are collectable.

 

So what of the 2600 homebrews on the secondary market? Are these being bought for "fair use" or do people consider these collectable? If they are considered collectable what happens when they reproduced? Does it change anything or like the Vectrex carts will they still rise and fall with current production?

 

Just out of curiosity, what other hobbies would you be talking about?

 

Most of the hobbies in which I've been involved have some sort of "underground" self-production, and all of them can (and do) produce homebrew collectibles. Self-published comics, self-produced records, screen-printed posters, art and sculpture, etc. These hobbies all tend to be self-policing, and while there is potential for abuse from content producers, it's rare and tends to be detected when it occurs. Reprints tend to be distinguishable in some manner, as well, so even if a content producer makes another run, the value of the originals may not be affected. And collectors who drive up the value of releases that have not been demonstrated to be limited are simply gambling-- the potential for a depression in values is inherent in any collectibles market.

 

Professional packaging and/or presentation also tends to make value-diluting reprints impossible. The expense in time and money to produce a nice package makes it unlikely that identical runs will be reproduced, thus maintaining the value of a first run.

 

I think more precarious are market values for prototypes; by their nature, protos lack distinguishing characteristics that allow people to (usually) determine their veracity, and they're far more ripe for bootlegging and counterfeiting.

[Albert]

Didn't reindeer rescue fetch a decent price?

A copy of the original 2003 Holiday GreetingCart sold on eBay recently for nearly $90. I also sold a set of all three released carts (2003, 2004, 2005 Holiday Carts) for $150, with the proceeds going to the Special Secret Santa.

 

..Al

[Chickybaby]

Didn't reindeer rescue fetch a decent price?

A copy of the original 2003 Holiday GreetingCart sold on eBay recently for nearly $90. I also sold a set of all three released carts (2003, 2004, 2005 Holiday Carts) for $150, with the proceeds going to the Special Secret Santa.

 

..Al

 

Because you are simply too darn nice. Bean says thank you for all the cutsey and baby stuff and I will spare you the pics.

 

I think in general though homebrews have more personal, creative, and play value rather then monetary and I know when we buy them it's not so they will be valuable in the future but so we can have fun now. It's also imo at least quite rewarding to help support independant individuals rather then big companies.

Edited December 10, 2006 by Chickybaby

[holygrailvideogames.com]

I haven't followed the 2600 homebrew prices as much as other systems. I know of at least one homebrew that sold for $500 for another system.

[+SpiceWare]

Is a multicart full of games from back in the day really a homebrew?

 

The only multicarts I would consider homebrew are ones like SWOOPS! and 2005 Minigame Multicart.

[Albert]

Is a multicart full of games from back in the day really a homebrew?

I would not consider it as such, not at all.

 

..Al

[fire!fire!]

I am much more attached to the Homebrews that I have in my collection than any other games because I feel like they were made for ME. Just like going out and seeing bands in town that play original music. I don't play the Homebrews as often as I play my older games, tho. I'm extremely attached to Crazy Valet! I wonder about the value of games also. But only in the terms of investing in a fireproof safe for them!

[Thomas Jentzsch]

I'm extremely attached to Crazy Valet!

When you are finished with it, you can continue with Jammed.

[FABombjoy]

To me, homebrews have value because they represent the epitome of what makes collecting for old consoles so interesting: That, even though old consoles are considered commercially dead, they are in fact still quite alive thanks to the efforts of those that wish to keep them alive.

 

I am quite happy to pony up for homebrew titles, regardless of their possible resale value. I vote with my dollars, and my vote goes towards supporting development of new games on old systems.

 

It is only a happy coincidence that limited-release homebrews almost always tend to appreciate in value - a fact that, when I miss out on the original run, I do not myself appreciate

 

It's always a great day when a new homebrew title shows up in my mailbox. I really enjoy seeing what each author puts in to each game - especially when the process goes "full circle" with full artwork, boxes, and other extras. On that note, if AtariAge started making boxes for all homebrew games, I would probably take out a 3rd mortgage

[Godzilla]

I think they have tons of value, and I love them oh so much :-)

[fire!fire!]

I'm extremely attached to Crazy Valet!

When you are finished with it, you can continue with Jammed.

 

 

Yeah I was looking at that one this weekend and I think I'll pick it up. I'll let you know what I think when it comes in. I have Swoops which is a great batch of games and has a really nice manual. I recommend that game for both playing and for the look of the cart/manual combo. Bet it would have had a great box....

[sandmountainslim]

To me, homebrews have value because they represent the epitome of what makes collecting for old consoles so interesting: That, even though old consoles are considered commercially dead, they are in fact still quite alive thanks to the efforts of those that wish to keep them alive.

 

 

My feelings exactly.

Viva New Games!

WP

[Paranoid]

I'd say that in the long run, the homebrews are going to be the MOST highly sought after. You might have some difficulty establishing that what you have is an original homebrew, and not a repo that you made yourself, becuase of the DIY nature of homebrews... but eventually, these titles may become the rarest of the rare (having been made in relatively small quantities compared to commercial releases).

[Zach]

I'd say that in the long run, the homebrews are going to be the MOST highly sought after. You might have some difficulty establishing that what you have is an original homebrew, and not a repo that you made yourself, becuase of the DIY nature of homebrews... but eventually, these titles may become the rarest of the rare (having been made in relatively small quantities compared to commercial releases).

Good point. I think I'll start saving receipts from AA.

[Paranoid]

Not a bad idea, Zach. If I had a collection of homebrews like yours, I'd certainly be sitting tight on them. 20 years from now, you might find yourself sitting on top of a box of Atlantis II value carts.

 

Speaking of which, if any of you are thinking about starting your speculative homebrew collection, the AI on Four-Play is some of the best 2600 AI you're likely to encounter, and you should pick up a copy immediately.